In Woodbridge, diverging perspectives on Connolly

It was Gerry Connolly's appearance a few years ago at a slug stop near her house that convinced Lake Ridge resident Lorri Lowther to vote for him Tuesday.

"He came to the slug line at 5 a.m. to talk to us," said Lowther, who works for the government "He's more concerned about what the people want. I've been voting for 30 years and that's the first time someone has come talked to me -- that's important. "

Lowther said she hoped Virginia Democrats could hold their seats Tuesday night. She generally doesn't vote along party lines but by candidate.

"I was really turned off by Fimian's negative ads. I never knew what he really stood for," she said.

Grant Shaffer has spent the last 10 years with the Marines and has not been able to vote until today, he said, because his absentee ballot never got to him in time.

"This is the first time where my vote counts," the 31-year-old said.

Shaffer said he voted for Keith Fimian because he is "more against" Gerry Connolly and wants to "give the new guy a chance."

"I don't see any change under Connolly," he said. "I don't think he did anything special for Virginia. "

Shaffer said he didn't think there will be a complete shake up tonight, but that some Republicans would move into Congress. He said he hoped there would be more bipartisanship following the election.

"It's like a football rivalry," he said. "It shouldn't be, though, because we are all on the same team."

Election officials said that by 3 p.m. 581 people had voted and 70 absentee ballots had been turned in. About 2,400 are registered to vote at the library.

The street heading to Chinn Park Regional Library in Woodbridge was lined with campaign signs-alternating between Fimian and Connolly. The signs included some that were negative, claiming that Connolly voted with Pelosi 97 percent of the time and saying "to vote for gerry is just too scary." At the library entrance were two Fimian supporters decked out in sunglasses and winter coats.

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